Rome: Pope Francis, despite being in critical condition with double pneumonia, continues to oversee Vatican affairs from his hospital room, signing decrees for new saints and making key governance decisions. Doctors at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital report a “slight improvement” in his health, though concerns remain due to his age and pre-existing lung condition.

Vatican affairs continue as Pope works from hospital

On Monday, Francis met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, and Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, the Vatican’s chief of staff. It marked the first known meeting between Francis and Parolin since his hospitalisation on 14 February. During the audience, the pope approved decrees for two new saints and five individuals for beatification, the first step toward sainthood. He also decided to convene a consistory—a formal gathering of cardinals—to discuss future canonisations.

Francis routinely approves decrees from the Vatican’s saint-making office while at the Vatican, typically during meetings with its head rather than Parolin. However, the calling of a consistory is significant and forward-looking, particularly given his current health status. No date has been set for the meeting, but its announcement draws parallels to the 2013 consistory where Pope Benedict XVI, citing frailty, announced his resignation. Francis has previously stated that he would consider resigning if he ever became too incapacitated to fulfil his duties, though he has also emphasised that the papacy is a lifelong role.

Health update

Doctors reported that Francis had a restful night on Monday and noted a “slight improvement” in some laboratory results. While he remains in critical condition, his respiratory crises have stabilised since Saturday, and his supplemental oxygen flow has been slightly reduced. A mild kidney insufficiency detected earlier is currently not causing alarm, though medical experts remain cautious.

Given his age, fragility, and past lung issues—having had part of one lung removed in his youth—Francis’ condition remains precarious. However, he has resumed work from his hospital room, even making a call to a parish in Gaza City, which he has been in contact with since the war there began.

Governance decisions and future of the papacy

In addition to approving the new sainthood decrees, Francis has continued making governance decisions, demonstrating his commitment to leading the Church despite his hospitalisation. He released his message for Lent, appointed new bishops for Brazil and an archbishop for Vancouver, and enacted modifications to the Vatican City State’s legal structure.

One of the most notable decisions was his appointment of Sister Raffaella Petrini as the first woman to head the Vatican City State. In a move reinforcing her leadership, Francis specifically granted her the authority to direct her priestly deputies. Many of these decisions were likely in progress before his hospitalisation, but the Vatican confirmed that Francis has been actively working on them from his hospital room.

While speculation about a possible resignation persists, his English biographer Austen Ivereigh stated that Francis must be “wholly free to make the right decision.” He emphasised that the pope has always believed the papacy is a lifelong role but has also acknowledged that a degenerative or debilitating condition could lead to a resignation.

The pope’s health has sparked both prayers and political narratives. While some of his right-wing critics have spread dire rumours about his condition, his allies remain hopeful, citing his resilience. Honduran Cardinal Oscar Rodríguez Maradiaga stated, “Humanly speaking, I don’t think it’s time for him to go to Paradise.”

At Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday morning, despite the rain, ordinary Romans and visitors gathered to pray for Francis. Hoang Phuc Nguyen, a Canadian pilgrim, visited the hospital’s statue of St. John Paul II, saying, “He is our father, and it is our responsibility to pray for him.”

(With inputs from AP)